Things That Must Be Said

Even if God had never included #5 in His list of Ten Commandments, I’d still have reason enough to talk about my parents every time the opportunity presented itself.

And even if I hadn’t been born into their family, and raised in their house, I’d still think they were the two most Christ-like and well-loved people I know.

But, since these things are so, and this is my blog, I can’t help but write a few words about a very special milestone in their lives.

Over the weekend, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the day my dad became the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

We celebrated all week-end with hundreds of people who know and love my parents. Our sweet friends at Faith hosted a wonderful reception, and there were songs sung, words spoken, and tears shed (mostly by me), all in their honor.

Chances are, you’ve never heard of my parents. They’re not rich, nor famous, nor have they written books or had buildings named in their honor. And yet their influence has reached deeper than anyone I’ve ever known. First, in the lives of the three of us behind them here…

And through the years, in the lives of those with them here…

And then farther and farther into the lives of virtually every person that has ever met them. They are great people. But that’s not the power behind that influence. It’s the fact that Christ lives in them and they live Christ every. single. day. It’s that grace flows out of them and feels so authentic that when you’ve been with them, you feel like you’ve been with Jesus. These aren’t just my words. It’s how all kinds of different people describe them all the time.

But, since I’m the one with the privilege of writing here, I’ll speak for the masses. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your influence. When I “grow up”, I hope I’m just like you, because you’re just like Christ.

If you’d like to get to know my dad through messages from the Bible that will point you to Christ, click here to visit their site.

Congrats to your mom and dad and your family!! 30 years at one church is such a blessing!! I am a fairly new reader to your blog – happy to have found you through my good friend Jennifer from Dimples and Tangles 🙂

Wonderful! My husband is a Baptist pastor too. We have been in the ministry for 20+ years. I would love to just sit and listen to your mom and let her tell me how she has handled being a pastor's wife,mom, friend etc. I am sure she has lots of stories to tell! And my husband and I both would love to talk with your dad and know how he has led a church for 30 years! I am amazed and I admire them greatly! The best examples and influences are those that have not written books or became famous. The true servants who do what they do because they love Jesus and it's all they know to do. Thanks so much for sharing! Just happened on your blog from a Pinterest post about pumpkin butter.

Thank YOU for sharing these words. You get exactly what I've tried to convey here, and that tells me you and your husband are probably just the kind of Christians that I'm talking about. God bless your hearts for your faithful ministry. You are influencing more people than you will realize here in this life. I love it when I see God working in this little blog and using things as insignificant as pumpkin butter to connect me with people who encourage me and allow words I write here to encourage them! Thanks for stopping by 🙂